Dame Deborah James 'effect' sees record-breaking 2.8million people get checked for cancer | The Sun

NHS England has praised the “Dame Deborah James effect” after more people than ever before received a lifesaving cancer check over the last year.

In the last year, 2.8 million Brits were tested for the disease new figures show – up by almost a fifth from 2.32 million in 2018/19.

Meanwhile over a quarter of a million people (255,055) were checked for cancer August – the highest number since records began.

The inspirational cancer campaigner and Sun columnist was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, died on July after receiving end-of-life care at home.

Deb, known as BowelBabe to her Instagram fans, devoted her final years to raising awareness of cancer symptoms, and final month to raising money for research.

The number of people receiving cancer treatment continues to be high, with well over 27,000 people starting cancer treatment in August.

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Professor Sir Stephen Powis, of NHS England said: “Despite huge pressures on the NHS this summer, the incredible work of colleagues across the country meant that in August we delivered more potentially life-saving cancer checks than ever before, and cut 18 month waits by 60 per cent over the last year."

Deb shared every step of her journey with Sun readers in her column Things Cancer Made Me Say and her army of loyal social media followers.

She went on to present the award-winning BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C with fellow cancer patients Rachael Bland, who passed away in September 2018, Lauren Mahon and Rachael’s husband Steve.

In the five-and-a-half years since her diagnosis Deb changed the conversation around bowel cancer, raising vital awareness and breaking down taboos.

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She tirelessly banged the F*** Cancer drum – writing a book of the same name – and vowed to do everything she could to help others avoid her fate.

And, just a month before she died, when she was told she would receive end-of-life hospice care, she started the BowelBabe Fund for Cancer Research.

What are the first symptoms of bowel cancer?

Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and going to your doctor is vital.

.If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and make sure you speak to your GP.

The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:

• Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
• A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
• Pain or a lump in your tummy
• Extreme tiredness
• Losing weight

It currently sits at £7.5million, after more than 300,000 people and organisations donated.

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The Sun launched the No Time 2 Lose campaign in April 2018 – to call on the Government to lower the screening age to 50, which could save 4,500 lives annually.

In the summer of 2018, health secretary Matt Hancock announced screening in England would be lowered to 50 – marking a victory for The Sun and campaigners.

What are the risk factors of bowel cancer?

You’re at greater risk of bowel cancer if you have one or more of the following risk factors:

• you're aged over 50
• you have a strong family history of the disease
• a history of non-cancerous growths, known as polyps, in your bowel
• long-term inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• type 2 diabetes
• an unhealthy lifestyle – you smoke, are overweight or obese and do not get enough exercise

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